Bang bang cauliflower is a delicious treat of golden baked breaded cauliflower bites tossed in a sweet, tangy and spicy sauce!
This bang bang cauliflower recipe is a delicious spin on our bang bang chicken recipe and we absolutely can’t get enough! Make sure to pair it with some peanut butter ramen, instant pot rice or our vegetable chow mein!
Bang Bang Cauliflower
Bang Bang Cauliflower
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 A lighter version of our bang bang chicken!
📌 Can be made in about 30 minutes for busy weeknights.
📌 Add it to any of your favorite Asian inspired dishes for a complete meal!
Bang Bang Cauliflower Ingredients
- Cauliflower – Cut into bite size pieces.
- Milk – We prefer to use whole milk in this recipe, but you can also use low fat or skim milk.
- Flour – We use all-purpose flour for this recipe.
- Egg – Lightly beaten.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Bread Crumbs – We like to use panko breadcrumbs.
- Bang bang sauce – Mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, honey.
How do you make bang bang cauliflower (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, whisk together the flour, milk, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika in a bowl. Dip the pieces of cauliflower in the batter and roll in the panko breadcrumbs to coat.
⭐ Next, place the breaded cauliflower on a lined baking sheet and bake, flipping the cauliflower pieces halfway.
⭐ Then, while the cauliflower is cooking, mix up the ingredients of the sauce by stirring them all together.
⭐ Finally, toss the cauliflower pieces in some of the sauce and serve with the remaining sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can I make bang bang cauliflower ahead of time?
The short answer is, we wouldn’t recommend it. These are really best enjoyed right away when they are hot and crispy. You can prep this recipe by cutting and trimming the florets ahead of time.
What is bang bang sauce made of?
The sauce is a delicious sweet and spicy sauce with a hint of tang. It’s made of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey.
Can I make these gluten free?
Yes! Swap out the all-purpose flour and the panko breadcrumbs for gluten free versions and make sure your brand of sweet chili sauce and rice vinegar are also gluten free and you have yourself a gluten free dish!
Storage and leftovers
How long does leftover bang bang cauliflower last?
These are best enjoyed fresh but you can store them up to 5 days in an airtight container. For best results, reheat in an air fryer or conventional oven.
Can you freeze bang bang cauliflower?
We don’t recommend freezing this recipe. Overall it will become very soft when reheated after freezing. It’s best to cook and eat them on the same day.
Tips and tricks
- Use fresh cauliflower: Fresh cauliflower florets tend to have a better texture and flavor compared to frozen cauliflower. Opt for fresh cauliflower whenever possible for the best results.
- Cut cauliflower into uniform pieces: To ensure even cooking, cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces that are similar in size. This will help them cook evenly and result in a consistent texture.
- Let excess batter drip off: When dipping the cauliflower in the batter, allow any excess batter to drip off before rolling it in the breadcrumbs. This will help prevent clumps of batter from forming and ensure a more even coating.
- Double-bread for extra crispiness: For an extra crispy texture, you can double-bread the cauliflower by dipping it in the batter, then rolling it in breadcrumbs, and repeating the process. This will create a thicker coating and enhance the crunchiness.
- Serve immediately: Bang bang cauliflower is best enjoyed right after cooking when it is hot and crispy. Serve it immediately to fully appreciate its texture and flavors.
Frequently asked questions
Is bang bang cauliflower spicy?
This recipe is between a mild and medium spice. Sweet and spicy, but not burn your tongue off spicy. Really good!
Is bang bang cauliflower an Asian dish?
This is definitely Asian inspired, but more of a fusion dish, especially with the cauliflower! Our recipe is a copycat version of the dish served at Bonefish Grill restaurants.
Can I use frozen cauliflower to make bang bang cauliflower?
This recipe will work best with fresh florets of cauliflower but in a pinch, you could thaw frozen cauliflower in the fridge, pat dry with paper towels and continue with the breading and cooking steps.
Can I make bang bang cauliflower in an air fryer?
Absolutely! To make bang bang cauliflower in an air fryer, follow the same steps for breading the cauliflower and then place the coated cauliflower in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the cauliflower is crispy and golden brown.
What to eat with bang bang cauliflower bites (serving suggestions)
We love bang bang cauliflower as an appetizer or as a part of our main dish! Try adding other Asian inspired flavors to complete the meal like fried rice, Vietnamese summer rolls, sesame noodles, and coconut rice!
Try more of our cauliflower recipes!
- Air fryer cauliflower
- Cauliflower casserole
- Mashed cauliflower
- Roasted cauliflower
- Cauliflower rice
- Broccoli cauliflower soup
- See all our easy cauliflower recipes!
Other awesome Asian inspired recipes
- Crispy tofu recipe
- Garlic noodles
- Chicken fried rice
- Sweet and sour chicken
- Bourbon chicken
- See all our recipes inspired by Asian flavors
Tools we love
- Silicone baking mats – Nothing sticks to these! Whaaaa?! Perfect for baking sugary cookies, or cheesy croissants. You know why? Because nothing sticks to these!!!
- Bakers half sheet – These are good for absolutely everything. Cookies? Yes! Steak? Yes! Cake? Oh yeh! Roasted veggies? Uhhhh huh!
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How to Make Bang Bang Cauliflower
Bang Bang Cauliflower
Ingredients
Cauliflower:
- 1 small head of cauliflower cut into bite size pieces
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Dip the pieces of cauliflower in the batter, and then roll in the panko breadcrumbs to coat.
- Place the breaded cauliflower on a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet, and cook in a 425℉ oven for 25 minutes, flipping the cauliflower pieces about halfway through the cook time.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, make the sauce by whisking all of the ingredients together.
- Toss the cauliflower in some of the sauce, and serve with the remaining sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
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Bang Bang Cauliflower
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Cara T says
My family loves cauliflower and this was such a huge hit! Loaded with flavor ad easy to make too.
Jessica says
Okay this is hands down the best cauliflower recipe I have ever tried! I already can’t wait to make it again!
Sharina says
It’s my first time trying this bang bang cauliflower and I am amazed at how flavorful and delicious it is! So tangy and filling!